Store handling apparatus



Sept. 24, 1968 w. PARAsKr-:WIK

VSTORE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3l, 1966 F ig. 4

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM PARASKEWIK 1 .l l i 20h BY h- 50 h 20o i ,(1 MN l A TTORNE Y United States Patent O 3,402,904 STORE HANDLING APPARATUS William Paraskewik, Lansdale, Pa., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Aug. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 576,802 8 Claims. (Cl. 248-119) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Load adjusted store handling apparatus for receiving stores of various sizes including a pair of store cradles each including a pair of obtusely angled bell cranks fixed for coplanar rotation about their respective apexes, having their proximal arms linked for limited relative dependent rotation, and equipped with belt supporting rollers carried at the ends of the unlinked distal arms and at the apexes of the bell cranks for supporting an endless belt whose extent between the ends of the distal arms conforms to the abutting periphery of the store supported thereby.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates generally to material handling apparatus and more particularly to an improved, selfadjusting `store handling apparatus.

The known apparatus for handling variously sized stores such as bombs, torpedoes, guided missiles, require some manual adjustment to ensure positive support of any particular size store. Unless such apparatus is properly adjusted to receive a store of a selected size, the store, particularly if it is a guided missile, is subject to great risk of indentation or puncture as may occur if it is dropped into placement on the apparatus.

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide store handling apparatus which automatically adjusts itself during loading to receive variously sized stores. Briefly, this is accomplished by providing a store cradle including an endless belt supporting frame having a pair of juxtaposed coplanar V-shaped members fixed for rotation about their respective apexes and having their adjacent arms linked for limited relative movement.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide load-adjusting apparatus for positively supporting variously sized stores.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved self-adjusting missile handling apparatus which has fewer parts, is easier to use, and can be fabricated more readily at lower cost than known missile handling apparatus.

Others objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the annexed drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment and wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a longitudinal view of a store handling apparatus according to the invention as applied to a missile;

FIG. 2 represents an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. l taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged cross sectional View of the apparatus taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. l, a missile dolly 10 includes a platform 11 preferably having wheels 12 and provides support for a pair of substantially identical endless belt cradles 13 fixed thereto in longitudinally spaced relation. A missile M is supported by the cradles 13 and is positively Isecured in a static position by a pair of straps 14 each intermediately adjustably connected by a latch 16 and each secured at its ends to the cradle 13 by clevises 15.

Referring to FIG. 2, one of the cradles 13 will now be more particularly described. The cradle 13 includes a pair of obtusely angled V-shaped members 20 and 21 rotatably mounted at their apexes for rotation in one plane on parallel shafts 22 and 23 which in turn are spatially fixed to and along the length of the platform 11 by brackets 24 and 25 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inwardly extending adjacent arms 201 and 211' of the V-shaped members 20 and 21 overlap and have slots 26 and 27 which register to receive a floating connecting pin 28. The lengths and positions of the slots 26 and 27 in their respective arms 20 and 2li permit a maximum excursion of the upper rollers 32 and 33 as dictated by the minimum and maximum sizes of the stores to be handled.

The distal ends of the outwardly extending arms 20o and 21o of members 20 and 21 are apertured to receive shafts 30 and 31 upon which are mounted for rotation respective upper rollers 32 and 33. Lower rollers 34 and 35 are mounted for rotation upon the respective shafts 22 and 23.

An endless belt 40 encircles the adjustable trapazoid defined by the upper rollers 32 and 33 and the lower rollers 34 and 35. The portion of the belt 40 depending from between the upper rollers 32 and 33 peripherally engages and supports the missile M. It is preferred that the belt 40 be flexible enough to conform to the periphery of stores of various sizes and yet be substantially inelastic to inhibit that degree of stretching which would cause the store engaging portion of the belt 40 to strike the upper portion of the lower rollers 34 and 35 or the upper portion of the linked, inwardly extending arms of the members 20 and 21. A suitable such belt 40 may be made from rubber reinforced with a core of steel wire loops 41.

Referring to FIG. 4, the V-shaped member 20 is preferably fabricated from a pair of parallel plates 20a and 20b which are connected in spaced relation by a linkage 50. The plates 20a and 20b include coaxial apertures 51 through which extends the shaft 30. The upper roller 32 is preferably segmented into outer roller segments 32a and 32b positioned ouside of the plates 20a and 20b. An inner roller segment 32a` is positioned between the plates. The lower roller 34 is similarly constructed. The shaft 30 extends beyond the lateral surfaces of the upper roller segments 32a and 32b to provide a point of connection for the clevis 15.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the operation of the cradle 13 during loading will now be described as applied to the missile M. As the missile M is lowered onto the cradle 13, the lower portion of the periphery of the missile M engages the belt 40 to move it downwardly. The outwardly extending arms 200 and 21o are caused to rotate 'inwardly toward the periphery of the missile M. The -belt-engaged portion of the missile periphery extends along the arc within the angle p when the missile M assumes a static position. The inward movement of the upper rollers 32 and 33 is preferably limited by tension in the belt 40 as an increasingly greater portion of the periphery of the missile M is engaged by the belt rather than by roller abutment against the missile periphery. After loading it is seen that the members 20 and 21 have been positioned so that the lines respectively extending between the axes of the shafts 23 and 31 and between the axes of the shafts 22 and 30 each define an angle with respect to the line extending through the axes of the shafts 22 and 23. When a missile ML of larger size is loaded on the cradle as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, it is to be noted that the angles 0L and L are less than the corresponding angles 0 and qb for the missile M.

When the straps 14 are secured about the upper periphery of the missile, the missile will resist external lateral loading. For example, assume that a force is being applied to the left side of the missile. The applied force tends to rotate the upper roller 32 away from the missile which in turn tends to cause the linkage of the inwardly extending arms 201' `and 2li to be rotated upwardly toward the missile. This tends to cause the upper roller 33 to be moved away from the missile, thereby reducing the angle p of peripheral belt engagement and causing the missile to tend to be moved upwardly. The upward movement of the missile is resisted by the weight of the missile and by the strap 14 which tends t0 be stretched downwardly by the clevises to which its ends `are attached. Additionally, the strap 14 coacts with the endless belt 40 of the cradle 13 to clamp the missile therebetween and enable the lmissile to resist longitudinal loading and vertical loading as well as the above described lateral loading.

The angular orientation of the outwardly and inwardly extending arms o and 201', and 21o and 2li, the relative dimensions of the length of the belt `40, the radial lengths and relative radial positions of the slots 26 and 27 in the inwardly extending arms 201' and 211', the spacing La between the points of rotation of the members 20 and 21, the spacing Lb between the axis of the upper roller 32, 33 and the respective point of rotation of the members 20 and 21, and the relative radii of the rollers 32, 33, 34 and 35 and of the store are 'all interrelated. It is understood, of course, that the physical dimensions and positioning of the aforedescribed elements should conform to good design practice to meet the specific requirement of the application. In addition, the belt must be of a length relative to the dimensions of the belt supporting cradle such that the lower periphery of each of the various sized stores within the designed range will always be spaced from engagement with the belt supporting structure including the members 20 and 21 and the rollers 34 and 35. For example, if the belt 40 is too long with respect to the angular orientation, the lengths La and Lb and the relative radii, the portion of the belt engaging the store periphery may be permitted to strike the lower rollers 34 and 35 or the upwardly moved linkage between the inwardly extending arms 201' and 211' and thereby subject the store to a risk of indentation or puncture. If the belt 40 is too short, an insuicient area of belt engagement with the periphery of the store will occur thereby subjecting soft-shelled missiles to risk of harm. Further, it is preferred that the angle qb of engagement of the belt 40 with the periphery of the store be slightly less than the angle deiined by the pair of lines extending from the axes of the rollers 32 and 33 to the axis of the store in order that exact tangency between shafts 22 and 30, and shafts 23 and 31 of avoided to reduce the risk of denting the side of the store by the rollers 32 and 33 should the store be dropped accidentally upon the belt 40.

By way of example only 'and not limitation, suitable measurements of selected dimensions of the elements of a cradle for suitably supporting soft-shelled missiles having -diameters within the range of l2 inches and 20 inches are: a belt having a pitch length of 38% inches and a thickness of 1/a inch; roller radii of l inch; a spacing between shafts 22 and 23 of 61%@ inches; a spacing between shafts 22 and 30, and shafts 23 and 31 of 41/2 inches; and slots so positioned on the inwardly extending arms and having such a length that 6 is permitted to vary in accordance with the size of the store within the range of 51 to 34.

From the above, it appears that there has been provided a store handling apparatus which is self-adjusting upon loading to `receive variously sized stores.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made without dep-farting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Store handling apparatus for carrying a store having a size within a predetermined range comprising:

support means;

a pair of bell cranks pivotally connected at their apexes to said support means for rotation in one plane, the proximal arms of said cranks extending toward each other;

linking means interconnected between said proximal arms and movable relative thereto;

belt supporting means carried at each of the ends of the distal arms and at the apexes of said cranks; and

belt means encircling said belt supporting means forming thereby a store supporting area between the ends of said distal arms.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

strap means connected between said distal arms of said cranks forming thereby with said belt means a store securing area.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

said proximal arms overlap and have extending therethrough respective registering slots; and

said linking means includes a connecting pin extending through said slots and slidable relative thereto.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

said proximal and distal arms of each of said cranks dene an obtuse angle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

said belt supporting means includes roller means for rotation about parallel axes.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

said angled members overlap and each further includes a pair of plates rigidly connected in spaced relation, said plates having registering slots at the ends of said proximal arms;

said linking means includes a connecting pin extending through said slots and slidable relative thereto; and

said roller means includes a plurality lof segmented rollers rotatably mounted between and externally to both sides of said plates.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

each of said proximal arms overlap and has formed therethrough a respective slot extending generally along said arm and registerable with that of the said linking means further includes a oating connecting pin extending through said slots and slidable to engage the outermost termini of said slots, said slots being formed for limiting the outward relative rotations of said cranks to a position for receiving a largest of a range of varvious diametered stores; and

said belt means includes an endless belt having a length shorter than that length at which the store periphery conforming portion of the belt extending along the periphery of the largest diametered store between the distal arms of said cranks engages the linked proximal arms of said cranks.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

said .proximal and said distal arms of each of said cranks extend from said respective apexes thereof to deline a respective obtuse angle;

said connecting pin is slidable to engage the termini of said slots, said slots further being formed for limiting the inward relative rotations of said cranks to a position for receiving a smallest of the range of variously diametered stores; and

said length of said belt further is shorter than that length at which said periphery engaged portion of said belt extending along the periphery of the smallest 15 diametered store between said distal arms of said cranks engages said belt supporting means carried at said apexes of said cranks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/ 1899 Campbell 248-421 10/ 1943 Comrnire.

1/ 1952 Buckholdt. 9/1965 Hutchins et al. 248-119 X 7/ 1966 Paraskewik 248-119 FOREIGN PATENTS 9/ 1933 Germany. 10/1950 Great Britain.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

R. P. SEITTER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington,D.C. 20231' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,402,904 September 24, 1968 William Paraskewik It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 50, after "means" line 65, after "the" insert other; variously second occurrence, insert mounted line 72, "varvious" should read Signed and sealed this 17th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Commissioner of Patents 

